FIFA election: Players union calls for stringest tests for integrity on Sepp Blatter's replacement

World players union FIFPro called for stringent tests of integrity, including human rights and governance records on the candidates standing in FIFA election to succeed Sepp Blatter.

New Delhi: World players union FIFPro on Friday, called for stringent tests of integrity, including human rights and governance records on the candidates standing in the election to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA's president.

In a statement released, the union said, "Out of concern for the future of FIFA and world football, FIFPro has today created a set of criteria that it believes will have a positive effect on filtering candidates who claim they are capable of leading and transforming the world governing body as FIFA President in 2016 and beyond."

So far UEFA president Michel Platini, Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan, ex-FIFA executive Jerome Champagne and former Trinidadian player David Nakhid have submitted candidacy bids. The deadline for submitting bids is Monday.

"With Monday’s deadline (October 26, 2015) looming large for FIFA Presidential candidates to come forth and officially announce their intention to run in the election scheduled for February 26, 2016, FIFPro believes this will provide an effective basis to help safeguard the process around FIFA’s top elected official," the statement added.

FIFPro outlined a minimum four criteria for any new FIFA President:

1. Proven capacity to drive reform of a democratic and politically complex global body
2. Governance record
3. Human rights record
4. Understanding of the game as a sport and business

The statement continued, "The future leader of FIFA has to be a proven reformer, an impeccable figure who passes the most stringent tests of integrity, carried out independently, possibly by more than one external body.

"Eliminating even the slightest perception of conflict of interest will be a critical part of a robust reform process, as opposed to the charade of self-regulation that has damaged the image of the world's most popular sport.

"All presidential candidates would need to display a track record of being able to lead, manage change and streamline outdated policies associated with a dysfunctional governance structure and politically complex global organisation such as that of FIFA."

FIFA is embroiled in corruption allegations, involving its top office bearers from Blatter to Champagne. Blatter, along with Platini, is serving a ban as the investigation on an alleged £1.35m transaction between the them.